Rnews Crooked Bough News Round-up: South Front

South Front

— Military Situation In Yemen On October 13, 2026 (Map Update): at 10/13/26 10:37am
Click to see full-size map. The Yemeni army (Ansar Allah) advanced in the Jabal Arus area south of Taiz; The Yemeni army (Ansar Allah) advanced in the areas west of Lahij province; The Yemeni army (Ansar Allah) forces are reportedly attempting to outflank Saudi-backed forces around Bab al-Mandab through Al-Mudharabah district in Lahij province; On October 12, the Yemeni attacked King Khalid Airport in Riyadh, Khamis Mushait Air Base and Abha with missiles and drones. _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ MORE ON THIS TOPIC: Saudi Arabia Strikes Sanaa Using Israeli Tactics, Houthis Threaten Retaliation (Videos) Houthis Tighten Siege on Taiz, Threaten to Encircle Saudi-Backed Forces Near Bab al-Mandab (Videos) The post Military Situation In Yemen On October 13, 2026 (Map Update) appeared first on South Front.
[Category: #MAPS, #YEMEN, Editor's choice, Hot, Military]
— Russia Pits Citadel Drone Killer Against German and U.S. Systems: at 10/13/26 10:29am
Click to see full-size image. (Rostec) Russia’s state defense corporation Rostec revealed that its Citadel anti-aircraft gun system can destroy drones while using several times less ammunition in some cases than conventional anti-aircraft artillery. “Thanks to its fire control system and shells with remote-detonation fuses, the Citadel anti-aircraft artillery system has demonstrated significantly lower ammunition consumption per target destroyed than standard anti-aircraft artillery systems. In some cases, consumption is several times lower,” a Rostec representative told Izvestia, according to the TASS news agency on October 13. The ZAK-30 Citadel is designed to protect fixed installations against all types of drones. It combines radar and electro-optical sensors operating in visible and infrared spectrums with an automated fire-control system that detects and tracks targets, calculates firing solutions and directs the guns. The system uses 30 mm programmable fragmentation ammunition with remote-detonation fuses. Rather than requiring a direct hit, the shells detonate at a calculated point along a drone’s flight path, scattering fragments intended to destroy or damage the target. Each combat module carries 300 rounds and has a stated engagement range of up to 1,000 meters against fixed-wing drones and 800 meters against small multicopters. The system includes a command post that can control several combat modules positioned approximately 1 kilometer away and has a crew of five. Rostec also compared Citadel with foreign counter-drone systems, including Germany’s Rheinmetall Skynex, which uses a 35 mm cannon and programmable AHEAD fragmentation ammunition, and the U.S. Phalanx close-in weapon system and land-based C-RAM, both armed with 20 mm Vulcan guns. The Russian company said Skynex’s larger-caliber ammunition produces a powerful fragmentation field but increases the system’s weight and cost, while Phalanx and C-RAM rely on high rates of fire and consume more ammunition because they do not use the same type of programmable airburst projectiles as Citadel. Russia’s Defense Ministry announced on October 6 that Citadel systems had been supplied to the armed forces for counter-drone operations. It is still unclear, however, how many have been delivered. _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ SouthFront: Analysis and Intelligence NOW hosted at southfront.press Previously, SouthFront: Analysis and Intelligence was at southfront.org. The .org domain name had been blocked by the US (NATO) (https://southfront.press/southfront-org-blocked-by-u-s-controlled-global-internet-supervisor/) globally, outlawed and without any explanation Back before that, from 2013 to 2015, SouthFront: Analysis and Intelligence was at southfront.com SOUTHFRONT.PRESS MORE ON THIS TOPIC: Foreign Mercenaries And NATO Personnel In Ukraine Yet To Learn Their Lesson Missing Missile Warning Adds to Growing Rift Between Zelenskyy and Trump The post Russia Pits Citadel Drone Killer Against German and U.S. Systems appeared first on South Front.
[Category: #RUSSIA, Editor's choice, Hot, Military]
— Foreign Mercenaries And NATO Personnel In Ukraine Yet To Learn Their Lesson: at 10/13/26 10:21am
Click to see the full-size image The lesson to any and all foreign personnel, be it adventurers with unrealistic expectations, adrenaline addicts, avid Call of Duty players, pathological Russophobes or professional NATO advisers – you will die a pointless death. Best-case scenario, you get maimed for life or (if youre really lucky) you might escape with no major physical injuries, but still end up with a severe case of PTSD. Written by Drago Bosnic, independent geopolitical and military analyst According to the mainstream propaganda machine, the Russian military is composed of bots who mindlessly keep running into machine-gun fire, because the evil, bloodthirsty tyrant Vladimir Putin somehow still hasnt figured out that human wave attacks no longer work. Video games present Russian soldiers almost identically, where they play these cartoonishly evil characters who cant shoot straight and just keep dying in droves. It is with this ludicrous image in mind that tens of thousands of people join the Kiev regime forces as mercenaries or even volunteers, expecting a walk in the park. Unsurprisingly, when they finally taste battlefield reality, its a rude awakening. Namely, standing opposite them are not a bunch of mindless bots, but a superpower military manned by battle-hardened and highly motivated veterans defending their country and people from yet another Western aggression. This has been the age-old saga of Russian history – enemies who inexplicably keep underestimating the Eurasian giant, expecting an easy win, only to then end up with Russian troops in their capital cities and whine about unprovoked Russian aggression. Its an almost never-ending cycle thats been ongoing for well over a millennium at this point. If the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results, the political West won the first prize in it long ago. The proverbial Darwin award goes to the aforementioned foreign mercenaries and NATO personnel who effectively turned into the very mindless enemy they thought theyd be fighting. Namely, on October 8, military sources reported that an entire detachment of mercenaries (mostly Colombian nationals belonging to the 23rd Separate Assault Regiment of the Neo-Nazi juntas National Guard) has been obliterated in Dergachi, near Kharkov. The unit was just transferred to the area from an assembly point in Kiev, where they were tracked by increasingly effective Russian ISR (intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance) assets. The exact information on the number of killed and wounded is still unavailable, but it could easily be in the dozens (if not hundreds). Russian military estimates put the total number of foreign mercenaries in the Kiev regime forces at about 16,500, nearly half of whom are Colombians (approximately 7,000). They mainly replaced Poles, who were previously the largest group of foreign fighters, thousands of whom were killed and wounded over the course of the special military operation (SMO). Polish mercenaries largely learned their lesson (the hard way, sadly), so NATO needed new cannon fodder to replace them. Unfortunately, Colombians emerged as the most suitable candidates. Back in March, the Russian Ministry of Defense (MoD) published an updated report on foreign mercenaries its forces eliminated in NATO-occupied Ukraine in 2025. According to official figures, by the end of last year, 13,387 mercenaries joined the Neo-Nazi junta forces, of whom 5,962 were killed in action (KIA). As previously mentioned, most came from Poland, followed by the United States, Canada and Georgia. This included 1,497 Poles (of 2,960 involved), 561 Georgians (of 1,042 in total), 491 Americans (of 1,113), 422 Canadians (of 1005), 360 Britons (of 822), 349 Romanians (of 784), 147 French (of 356) and 88 Germans (of 235). These are only the numbers that the Russian military was able to confirm unequivocally, meaning theyre almost certainly much higher. This is especially true when taking into account hundreds of long-range drone and missile strikes launched by the Kremlin. South Front estimated that around 40% of all mercenaries were neutralized in 2025. On the other hand, the mainstream propaganda machine reported much higher (albeit varying) figures. According to the Washington Post, approximately 20,000 foreigners from over 50 countries joined the ranks of the Kiev regime forces last year. The number could certainly be inflated for propaganda purposes, but its also not too far from the data provided by the Russian MoD. Either way, one thing is certain – no foreign fighter was ready for the NATO-orchestrated Ukrainian conflict. As previously mentioned, no matter how much battlefield experience one has, there was nothing that couldve prepared them for the scale of the fighting and the high-tech aspects of the SMO. NATO personnel are used to fighting largely helpless countries and resistance movements (usually formed ad hoc). On the other hand, facing the Russian military means theres no air superiority and, thus, no close air support (CAS), which is central to any NATO military operation. Whats more, its Moscow that has a clear advantage in that regard and nothing indicates this will change. Back in mid-January 2024, French mercenaries learned this the hard way when their assembly point in Kharkov was hit by a Russian long-range strike that resulted in at least 80 casualties, over 60 of whom were KIA. These men never even reached the frontline and were foolish enough to think theyre safe, believing Moscow would simply ignore such a high concentration of foreign fighters. And yet, the situation in the trenches is not much better either. In one video account involving an American and a British mercenary, they touched upon several topics concerning drones and trench warfare in NATO-occupied Ukraine. Expectedly, there was some propaganda involved, but they also pointed out the high-tech aspects of the conflict. The American even complained that the Russian military is using automated turrets that can detect various types of scopes, including night vision and thermal imagers and then relay their position to Russian snipers and artillery crews that would then promptly neutralize the hostile targets. Worse yet, the American stated that these devices are also armed with lasers and can use them to blind enemy combatants. Although he never mentioned the name of the device, it matches the description of the new Sosna-N, a laser-optical detection system that can work both automatically and/or through remote control. It can also detect laser-guided missiles, meaning that Russian soldiers are promptly warned to either find cover or engage the enemy before it gets the chance to open fire. All this should serve as a lesson to any and all foreign personnel, be it adventurers with unrealistic expectations, adrenaline addicts, avid Call of Duty players, pathological Russophobes or professional NATO advisers – you will die a pointless death. Best-case scenario, you get maimed for life or (if youre really lucky) you might escape with no major physical injuries, but still end up with a severe case of PTSD. MORE ON THE TOPIC: In Video: Houthi Snipers Gun Down More Than a Dozen Fighters in Saudi Arabia Syria Is Preparing to Join Saudi War on Yemen, and It Would Be a Big Mistake From Colombia to the US: Foreigners Die in Large Numbers on Ukraine’s Kupyansk Front The post Foreign Mercenaries And NATO Personnel In Ukraine Yet To Learn Their Lesson appeared first on South Front.
[Category: #EU, #FROMTHEFRONT, #MEXICO, #RealWarInUkraine, #RUSSIA, #UKRAINE, #USA, #VENEZUELA, All articles, Americas, Asia, Balkans, Colombia, Eastern Europe, Editor's choice, Europe, France, Germany, Military, Moldova, NATO, Poland, Politics, Russian Armed Forces, UK]
— Military Situation In Syria On October 13, 2026 (Map Update): at 10/13/26 10:19am
Click to see full-size map. On October 13, Israeli forces raided the Kudna area in Quneitra province; On October 13, Israeli troops entered the vineyards of Mazraat Beit Jinn in the western Damascus countryside, and opened fire to prevent farmers from reaching their fields and demolished abandoned military fortifications in the area; On October 12, Israeli troops entered Bariqa village in Quneitra and detained a young man. _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ MORE ON THIS TOPIC: Syria Leaves Door Open for Joining Disastrous Saudi War on Yemen Syria Is Preparing to Join Saudi War on Yemen, and It Would Be a Big Mistake The post Military Situation In Syria On October 13, 2026 (Map Update) appeared first on South Front.
[Category: #MAPS, #SYRIA, Editor's choice, Hot, Military]
— Saudi Arabia Strikes Sanaa Using Israeli Tactics, Houthis Threaten Retaliation (Videos): at 10/13/26 9:59am
Illustrative image. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Katherine Walters) A Saudi-led coalition carried out strikes on oil facilities west of Sanaa on October 13 after warning residents to evacuate the area. The strikes followed an announcement by coalition spokesman Maj. Gen. Turki al-Maliki urging civilians to leave the Yemen Petroleum Companys Al-Sabaha Central Station and nearby storage areas ahead of a planned operation. Al-Maliki released a map identifying the area covered by the warning but did not specify the intended military objective. The Saudi-led coalition appeared to be borrowing a tactic used by the Israel Defense Forces in Gaza and later in Lebanon and Iran, issuing mapped evacuation warnings before carrying out strikes in designated areas. Click to see full-size image. Houthi military spokesman Brig. Gen. Yahya Saree said the targeted facility was “empty of petroleum derivatives and has no military value for targeting,” citing a source within the oil company. The Yemen Petroleum Company separately said its storage facilities were empty and that the strike would not affect oil reserves or fuel supplies for residents. The facility lies on a hill overlooking western Sanaa, where a nearby fuel station is used by the public. Before the strikes, Saree warned that any Saudi attack on Sanaa would be met with a “firm and painful” response in Riyadh. Following the attack, the Houthis threatened Saudi oil infrastructure, identifying Saudi Aramcos headquarters in Dammam, an Aramco refinery in Riyadh and King Khalid International Airport as potential targets. The spokesman described Aramco facilities as “legitimate targets” and urged workers and civilians to stay away from them. Click to see full-size image. Click to see full-size image. Click to see full-size image. The escalation comes after a series of Houthi missile and drone attacks on Saudi Arabia, including a deadly attack on Riyadhs international airport on October 10 that killed at least 13 people and injured more than 300. The attacks have disrupted aviation and heightened pressure on Saudi authorities to strengthen the kingdoms air defenses. The latest exchange adds to the widening conflict between the Houthis and the Saudi-led coalition, which supports forces aligned with Yemens internationally recognized government. The Houthis will certainly execute their threat and respond with full force, possibly within hours. _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ SouthFront: Analysis and Intelligence NOW hosted at southfront.press Previously, SouthFront: Analysis and Intelligence was at southfront.org. The .org domain name had been blocked by the US (NATO) (https://southfront.press/southfront-org-blocked-by-u-s-controlled-global-internet-supervisor/) globally, outlawed and without any explanation Back before that, from 2013 to 2015, SouthFront: Analysis and Intelligence was at southfront.com SOUTHFRONT.PRESS MORE ON THIS TOPIC: Houthis Tighten Siege on Taiz, Threaten to Encircle Saudi-Backed Forces Near Bab al-Mandab (Videos) Houthis Strike Saudi Capital Once Again (Videos) The post Saudi Arabia Strikes Sanaa Using Israeli Tactics, Houthis Threaten Retaliation (Videos) appeared first on South Front.
[Category: #YEMEN, Editor's choice, Hot, Military]
— Houthis Tighten Siege on Taiz, Threaten to Encircle Saudi-Backed Forces Near Bab al-Mandab (Videos): at 10/13/26 9:05am
File image. The Houthis (Ansar Allah) advanced on multiple fronts in southwestern Yemen on October 13, tightening pressure on Saudi-backed forces around Taiz while threatening to outflank government-aligned troops defending their remaining positions near the strategic Bab al-Mandab Strait. In Taiz, Houthi fighters reached the citys western entrance and captured the al-Hangar checkpoint, with footage showing their presence at the position. The advances came as Houthi forces pushed south of the city, clearing the areas of Anbian and Wateer, as well as positions along the approaches to Taiz. The latest gains threaten to further isolate Saudi-backed forces defending Taiz. The Houthis had already tightened their encirclement of the city after capturing Turbah, south of Taiz, on October 4, cutting off most supply routes from government-held territory. The advance toward al-Hangar and the fighting south of the city put additional pressure on the remaining positions and routes connecting the city with areas held by the government. Farther south, in neighboring Lahj province, Houthi forces reportedly cleared al-Sharjan, al-Kaala, Harazu and al-Khabakhib in the provinces western areas. The advance adds pressure on Saudi-backed forces deployed along the approaches to Bab al-Mandab, where the Southern Giants Brigades have been fighting to regain territory lost to the Houthis. The two fronts pose distinct but connected threats to the Saudi-backed deployment. Around Taiz, the Houthis are tightening their hold on the city and its surrounding approaches. In western Lahj, their advance threatens to outflank the Southern Giants Brigades and other government-aligned units near Bab al-Mandab and Kahbub, potentially cutting those units routes for reinforcement or retreat. If the Houthi advance in western Lahj continues, Saudi-backed forces near the strait risk being isolated as the Houthis pressure the forces positions from the north and east. _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ SouthFront: Analysis and Intelligence NOW hosted at southfront.press Previously, SouthFront: Analysis and Intelligence was at southfront.org. The .org domain name had been blocked by the US (NATO) (https://southfront.press/southfront-org-blocked-by-u-s-controlled-global-internet-supervisor/) globally, outlawed and without any explanation Back before that, from 2013 to 2015, SouthFront: Analysis and Intelligence was at southfront.com SOUTHFRONT.PRESS MORE ON THIS TOPIC: Houthis Strike Saudi Capital Once Again (Videos) Houthis Show New Gains in Taiz as Siege of Saudi-Backed Forces Tightens (Video) The post Houthis Tighten Siege on Taiz, Threaten to Encircle Saudi-Backed Forces Near Bab al-Mandab (Videos) appeared first on South Front.
[Category: #YEMEN, Editor's choice, Hot, Military] [Link to media]
— Missing Missile Warning Adds to Growing Rift Between Zelenskyy and Trump: at 10/13/26 6:39am
File image. Ukraine received no advance warning from its partners before five Russian ballistic missiles struck infrastructure in Kyiv, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on October 13, raising fresh concerns about intelligence cooperation as tensions between Kyiv and the Trump administration deepen. Zelenskyy described the attack in a post on X as “particularly vile” and stressed the importance of receiving intelligence from Ukraine’s partners about incoming ballistic missiles. “This is precisely what helps prevent people from being killed — when there is an early warning about ballistic missiles,” he wrote. The Ukrainian president did not identify which partners had failed to provide a warning, but the United States is likely playing the main role in providing such intelligence. His remarks came amid an escalating dispute with U.S. President Donald Trump over Washington’s decision to facilitate Russian diesel exports, its pressure on Ukraine to halt attacks against Russian oil refineries and Trump’s announcement of an energy ceasefire that Kyiv had not publicly agreed to. Trump announced on October 9 that Russia would supply diesel to the U.S. and global markets following a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The agreement marked a reversal of years of U.S. policy aimed at restricting Russian energy revenues following Moscow’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. The U.S. Treasury Department subsequently issued a temporary license easing sanctions on certain Russian diesel shipments. Zelenskyy criticized the arrangement as “a weak decision, unfortunately, a weak decision by strong partners,” according to a statement released by the Ukrainian Embassy in Washington. In a separate online statement, he argued that the agreement would benefit Moscow by providing resources to sustain its combat effort. Trump responded by blaming Ukrainian attacks on Russian refineries for contributing to high American diesel prices and suggesting that Ukraine needed a new president. The dispute has unfolded as the administration seeks to reduce fuel costs ahead of the November midterm elections, with Trump presenting the diesel arrangement as part of his effort to lower prices and revive negotiations to end the conflict. The friction intensified further after Trump announced on October 11 that Russia and Ukraine had agreed to an immediate “energy ceasefire,” under which both sides would stop attacking each other’s energy infrastructure. Neither side had publicly confirmed a finalized agreement when Trump announced it, and Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on October 13 only that contacts on the matter were continuing. Zelenskyy said Ukraine had refrained from attacking Russian oil refineries and other energy facilities during the two days following Trump’s announcement, while accusing Russia of continuing to strike Ukrainian energy infrastructure. “These are absolutely clear signals that they have no intention of refraining from strikes on Ukraine,” he said. Against this backdrop, reports have emerged that Washington warned Kyiv it could lose critical military and intelligence support if it continued attacking Russian refineries. The Washington Post reported on October 12, citing a Ukrainian security adviser and a Western official familiar with the matter, that U.S. officials had urged Ukraine to suspend the attacks and reminded Kyiv of Washington’s role in supplying weapons and intelligence. The Ukrainian adviser said Kyiv interpreted the message as a warning that Washington “could cut intel and everything going under PURL if you don’t stop.” PURL is a NATO mechanism through which European allies finance purchases of U.S. weapons for Ukraine. CNN separately reported, citing two European officials, that the Trump administration had warned Ukraine it could suspend intelligence sharing and the mechanism through which European countries purchase American weapons for Kyiv. Zelenskyy’s latest remarks suggest that the Trump administration may be escalating pressure on Kyiv, with the growing rift potentially beginning to affect the security relationship between the two countries. _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ SouthFront: Analysis and Intelligence NOW hosted at southfront.press Previously, SouthFront: Analysis and Intelligence was at southfront.org. The .org domain name had been blocked by the US (NATO) (https://southfront.press/southfront-org-blocked-by-u-s-controlled-global-internet-supervisor/) globally, outlawed and without any explanation Back before that, from 2013 to 2015, SouthFront: Analysis and Intelligence was at southfront.com SOUTHFRONT.PRESS MORE ON THIS TOPIC: Ukrainian Attempts to Ease the Pincers on Several Fronts Fail Kyiv Loses Residents: Power Infrastructure Destroyed, City Enters “Survival Mode” The post Missing Missile Warning Adds to Growing Rift Between Zelenskyy and Trump appeared first on South Front.
[Category: #RUSSIA, #UKRAINE, #USA, Editor's choice, Hot, Military]
— Hijab Dispute Tests ‘One Nation, Two States’ Alliance Between Turkey and Azerbaijan: at 10/13/26 6:07am
Click to see full-size image. Azerbaijan’s ruling New Azerbaijan Party on October 13 urged Turkey’s governing party to stop interfering in Azerbaijan’s domestic affairs after Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s chief adviser and ruling-party lawmakers criticized restrictions on headscarves in Azerbaijani schools. In a statement released through its press service, the New Azerbaijan Party accused Turkish media outlets and social media platforms, including sources close to Erdoğan’s Justice and Development Party, or AKP, of spreading what it described as false, biased and defamatory information about Azerbaijan. The party claimed that criticism by Turkish officials had become part of a broader campaign against the country as a whole. The statement singled out Erdoğan’s chief adviser, Oktay Saral, and AKP lawmakers for making what it called populist and irresponsible remarks without adequately considering Azerbaijan’s constitutional system and legal framework for religious freedom. “Using sensitive issues such as the headscarf as instruments of political manipulation and division serves neither the unity of the Turkish people nor the solidarity of the Muslim world,” the party said. It called on the AKP leadership to “refrain from this harmful policy” and rejected the use of the issue as a means of political pressure against Azerbaijan. The dispute follows a September 21 decision by Azerbaijan’s Cabinet of Ministers that amended school uniform regulations, prohibiting clothing that violates uniform requirements or conflicts with the secular principle of general education. The decision does not explicitly mention the hijab, but some schools have prevented girls wearing Islamic headscarves from attending classes. Reports have also described restrictions affecting teachers wearing hijabs, prompting protests and criticism of the policy. The Azerbaijani Press Agency, citing the government decision, said the amendment was intended to establish uniform clothing standards consistent with the country’s secular education system. However, critics of its implementation have argued that it restricts religious freedom and the right to education. Saral entered the dispute on October 12, writing on social media that preventing students from attending school because they wore headscarves was unacceptable. He urged Azerbaijani authorities to reverse the restrictions, arguing that religious clothing should not prevent young people from receiving an education. “Hijab is not an obstacle, but a requirement of faith,” Saral wrote, adding that the right to education should not be sacrificed to ideological dictates. His remarks were reported by Turkish and Azerbaijani media. The criticism has extended beyond political statements. Demonstrators gathered outside Azerbaijan’s consulate in Istanbul last week to protest the restrictions and call on the authorities in Baku to reconsider the rules. Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev responded indirectly to the growing criticism, warning against interference in the country’s way of life without explicitly naming Turkey. On October 7, AKP spokesman Ömer Çelik sought to emphasize the strength of the bilateral relationship, describing Turkey and Azerbaijan as “one nation, two states.” He said disagreements between the countries could be discussed openly between allies and accused unnamed countries of driving a wedge between the two. Çelik also criticized groups and social media users in Turkey for targeting Azerbaijan. The New Azerbaijan Party’s latest statement emphasized that the two countries’ historical ties did not give either side the right to interfere in the other’s domestic affairs. It noted that both countries are constitutionally secular states and argued that Azerbaijan’s education policy should not become an instrument of political pressure. The statement also defended Azerbaijan’s relations with Israel, rejecting what it described as deliberate distortions of those ties. It said Baku maintains normal interstate relations with Israel while supporting Palestinian rights, providing financial and humanitarian assistance to Palestinians, and backing a two-state solution with East Jerusalem as the capital of Palestine. The party argued that Azerbaijan’s position on Palestine and its relations with Israel were compatible, rejecting criticism that sought to portray its foreign policy as inconsistent with solidarity among Muslim countries. Invoking the longstanding description of the countries as “one nation, two states,” the New Azerbaijan Party said the principle reflected the friendship between two independent countries and could not justify attempts by one side to impose its political or ideological views on the other. The dispute is testing the limits of the countries’ “one nation, two states” alliance, exposing tensions between Baku’s insistence on noninterference and the religious-solidarity arguments advanced by figures within Erdoğan’s party. It also highlights the growing prominence of Islamist and religious-conservative rhetoric within the AKP, which has increasingly used religious identity as part of its political messaging. The issue carries an additional religious dimension, as Azerbaijan’s Muslim population is predominantly Shiite, while Turkey is majority Sunni, although both countries are constitutionally secular and their partnership has largely been driven by shared linguistic, strategic and regional interests rather than sectarian identity. While the dispute has not amounted to a formal diplomatic rupture, it underscores how competing approaches to religion and domestic policy can strain even close strategic partnerships. _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ SouthFront: Analysis and Intelligence NOW hosted at southfront.press Previously, SouthFront: Analysis and Intelligence was at southfront.org. The .org domain name had been blocked by the US (NATO) (https://southfront.press/southfront-org-blocked-by-u-s-controlled-global-internet-supervisor/) globally, outlawed and without any explanation Back before that, from 2013 to 2015, SouthFront: Analysis and Intelligence was at southfront.com SOUTHFRONT.PRESS MORE ON THIS TOPIC: Turkey Supplied Ukraine With ‘Korkut’ Air Defense Systems Pakistan Strikes Houthis as Turkey Rejects Direct Role in Yemen The post Hijab Dispute Tests ‘One Nation, Two States’ Alliance Between Turkey and Azerbaijan appeared first on South Front.
[Category: #TURKEY, Editor's choice, Hot, Politics]
— Locations Of US Carrier Strike Groups – October 13, 2026: at 10/13/26 5:33am
This is the newest update of the ‘U.S. Carrier Strike Groups Locations Map’ exclusive series showing the approximate locations of U.S. Carrier Strike Groups. SouthFront: Analysis & Intelligence tracks locations of U.S. aircraft carriers using the available open-source information. No classified information was used in production of the map. click to see the full-size image Carrier strike group (CSG) is an operational formation of the United States Navy. It is centered on an aircraft carrier and a carrier air wing of 65 to 70 aircrafts. It’s composed of roughly 7,500 personnel, an aircraft carrier, at least one cruiser, a destroyer squadron of at least two destroyers and/or frigates. A carrier strike group also, on occasion, includes submarines, attached logistics ships and a supply ship. Carrier strike groups comprise a principal element of U.S. power projection over the world’s oceans ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ SouthFront: Analysis and Intelligence NOW hosted at southfront.press Previously, SouthFront: Analysis and Intelligence was at southfront.org. The .org domain name had been blocked by the US (NATO) (https://southfront.press/southfront-org-blocked-by-u-s-controlled-global-internet-supervisor/) globally, outlawed and without any explanation Back before that, from 2013 to 2015, SouthFront: Analysis and Intelligence was at southfront.com SOUTHFRONT.PRESS The post Locations Of US Carrier Strike Groups – October 13, 2026 appeared first on South Front.
[Category: #MAPS, #USA, Editor's choice, Hot, U.S. CSG Locations Maps, Aircraft Carrier Strike Groups, US Navy, US Navy CSG Map, usa]
— Medvedev Reviews Russia’s New ‘Mak’ Howitzer Among Other Modern Weapons (Video): at 10/13/26 4:24am
Click to see full-size image. (Screengrab\TASS) Russia is improving the accuracy and range of its weapons and must accelerate the production and delivery of new systems to its armed forces, Russian Security Council Deputy Chairman Dmitry Medvedev said on October 12 after observing weapons tests in the Southern Federal District. “The accuracy and range of damage are constantly increasing. This opens up additional opportunities for destroying enemy targets in the depth of their defenses,” Medvedev said. He also praised Russia’s defense industry and scientific capabilities, saying the latest tests demonstrated the country’s ability to develop advanced weapons. “The results of today’s tests generally show that our science and our industry are capable of creating weapons that have no analogues in the world,” Medvedev said. Medvedev said work was continuing to improve several categories of weapons, including guided rockets, long-range and artillery munitions, loitering munitions, unmanned aerial vehicles and systems designed to counter drones. Among the artillery systems shown was the new Mak, a 152 mm wheeled self-propelled gun developed from the 2S44 Giatsint-K. The system is mounted on an eight-wheel BAZ-6910-027 chassis and armed with a 2A36 gun. It is powered by a 470-horsepower YaMZ-849 diesel engine, reportedly capable of propelling the vehicle at speeds of up to 80 km/h on roads, with a range of up to 1,000 kilometers. The Mak also features additional armor and a Doppler radar designed to measure the muzzle velocity of shells and improve firing accuracy. Full official specifications have not yet been released. Medvedev called for the rapid introduction of the new systems into service, saying the task was “to launch serial production and supply of such modern and effective weapons to the army as soon as possible.” “Some of the samples that we have seen today are already being actively used,” he added, describing the discussion during his visit as focused on how those objectives were being achieved. Medvedev also noted that some of the systems presented during the October 12 visit had been demonstrated a week earlier during the Center-2026 military exercises before Russia’s supreme commander. _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ SouthFront: Analysis and Intelligence NOW hosted at southfront.press Previously, SouthFront: Analysis and Intelligence was at southfront.org. The .org domain name had been blocked by the US (NATO) (https://southfront.press/southfront-org-blocked-by-u-s-controlled-global-internet-supervisor/) globally, outlawed and without any explanation Back before that, from 2013 to 2015, SouthFront: Analysis and Intelligence was at southfront.com SOUTHFRONT.PRESS MORE ON THIS TOPIC: Ukrainian Attempts to Ease the Pincers on Several Fronts Fail Kyiv Loses Residents: Power Infrastructure Destroyed, City Enters “Survival Mode” The post Medvedev Reviews Russia’s New ‘Mak’ Howitzer Among Other Modern Weapons (Video) appeared first on South Front.
[Category: #RUSSIA, Editor's choice, Hot, Military]
— Medvedev Reviews New Russian Weapons (Video): at 10/13/26 4:24am
Click to see full-size image. (Screengrab\TASS) Russia is improving the accuracy and range of its weapons and must accelerate the production and delivery of new systems to its armed forces, Russian Security Council Deputy Chairman Dmitry Medvedev said on October 12 after observing weapons tests in the Southern Federal District. “The accuracy and range of damage are constantly increasing. This opens up additional opportunities for destroying enemy targets in the depth of their defenses,” Medvedev said. He also praised Russia’s defense industry and scientific capabilities, saying the latest tests demonstrated the country’s ability to develop advanced weapons. “The results of today’s tests generally show that our science and our industry are capable of creating weapons that have no analogues in the world,” Medvedev said. Medvedev said work was continuing to improve several categories of weapons, including guided rockets, long-range and artillery munitions, loitering munitions, unmanned aerial vehicles and systems designed to counter drones. Among the artillery systems shown was the new Mak, a 152 mm wheeled self-propelled gun developed from the 2S44 Giatsint-K. The system is mounted on an eight-wheel BAZ-6910-027 chassis and armed with a 2A36 gun. It is powered by a 470-horsepower YaMZ-849 diesel engine, reportedly capable of propelling the vehicle at speeds of up to 80 km/h on roads, with a range of up to 1,000 kilometers. The Mak also features additional armor and a Doppler radar designed to measure the muzzle velocity of shells and improve firing accuracy. Full official specifications have not yet been released. Medvedev called for the rapid introduction of the new systems into service, saying the task was “to launch serial production and supply of such modern and effective weapons to the army as soon as possible.” “Some of the samples that we have seen today are already being actively used,” he added, describing the discussion during his visit as focused on how those objectives were being achieved. Medvedev also noted that some of the systems presented during the October 12 visit had been demonstrated a week earlier during the Center-2026 military exercises before Russia’s supreme commander. _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ SouthFront: Analysis and Intelligence NOW hosted at southfront.press Previously, SouthFront: Analysis and Intelligence was at southfront.org. The .org domain name had been blocked by the US (NATO) (https://southfront.press/southfront-org-blocked-by-u-s-controlled-global-internet-supervisor/) globally, outlawed and without any explanation Back before that, from 2013 to 2015, SouthFront: Analysis and Intelligence was at southfront.com SOUTHFRONT.PRESS MORE ON THIS TOPIC: Ukrainian Attempts to Ease the Pincers on Several Fronts Fail Kyiv Loses Residents: Power Infrastructure Destroyed, City Enters “Survival Mode” The post Medvedev Reviews New Russian Weapons (Video) appeared first on South Front.
[Category: #RUSSIA, Editor's choice, Hot, Military]
— Hwasong-20 ICBM Takes Center Stage at North Korea’s Defense Show (Photos): at 10/13/26 2:12am
Click to see full-size image. (Korean Central News Agency) North Korean leader Kim Jong Un visited a newly opened defense museum showcasing advanced missiles and other weapons, state media reported on October 13, as United States President Donald Trump raised the possibility of meeting Kim during a visit to Asia next month. Photographs released by North Koreas state-run Korean Central News Agency showed Kim and his daughter, Ju Ae, attending the opening of the Defense Revolution Museum. Notably, the displays included the massive Hwasong-20 intercontinental ballistic missile, which has not reportedly been tested yet. Click to see full-size image. (Korean Central News Agency) Click to see full-size image. (Korean Central News Agency) Click to see full-size image. (Korean Central News Agency) Click to see full-size image. (Korean Central News Agency) The exhibits also included a new submarine-launched ballistic missile, the Hwasong-16 hypersonic missile, 600-millimeter and 240-millimeter multiple rocket launchers, 155-millimeter howitzers and the Badasuri anti-ship missile. Other reported displays included Hwasal cruise missiles, reconnaissance and attack drones, an upgraded Chonma-20 tank and anti-tank guided missiles. Some of the more specific weapon designations remain tentative, as North Korea did not publish a complete inventory of the museums exhibits. The visit came a day after North Korea launched two ballistic missiles from its eastern coast. Both were believed to have fallen outside Japans exclusive economic zone, according to Japans Defense Ministry. Trump told reporters in Washington on the same day that he might hold talks with Kim during a trip to Asia next month. The U.S. president is scheduled to attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Shenzhen, China, on November 18 and 19. “I may,” Trump said when asked about a possible meeting. “Thatll be exciting, wont it? But I get along with him.” Pyongyang had not publicly responded to Trumps remarks as of October 13. The museum visit could serve to emphasize North Koreas military advances ahead of any potential meeting. Kim described the museum as demonstrating “how the dignity and security of the DPRK and the happiness of its people are defended and how peace of this land is achieved,” KCNA reported. KCNA also reported that North Korea had test-fired a tactical ballistic missile on October 12 to validate an upgraded core component of its weapons systems. Observers said the missile may have been a Hwasong-11A, also known as a KN-23, which can follow a quasi-ballistic trajectory and is believed capable of carrying a tactical nuclear warhead. Click to see full-size image. (Korean Central News Agency) Japans Defense Ministry said the first missile traveled about 220 kilometers, reaching a maximum altitude of 20 kilometers, while the second flew more than 910 kilometers at a maximum altitude of 70 kilometers. Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi said Japan, the United States and South Korea were working together to analyze the second launch, including the possibility that it followed an irregular trajectory. Koizumi condemned the test, saying North Koreas frequent missile launches highlighted an increasingly serious security environment around Japan. He said North Korea had launched at least 18 ballistic missiles in 11 launches so far this year, with the number of launches already more than doubling and the number of missiles roughly tripling compared with the same period last year. North Korea has been developing missiles designed to maneuver during flight, complicating efforts to track and intercept them. The country has also pursued intercontinental ballistic missiles capable of carrying multiple independently targetable nuclear warheads, adding to concerns over the range and sophistication of its weapons program. _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ SouthFront: Analysis and Intelligence NOW hosted at southfront.press Previously, SouthFront: Analysis and Intelligence was at southfront.org. The .org domain name had been blocked by the US (NATO) (https://southfront.press/southfront-org-blocked-by-u-s-controlled-global-internet-supervisor/) globally, outlawed and without any explanation Back before that, from 2013 to 2015, SouthFront: Analysis and Intelligence was at southfront.com SOUTHFRONT.PRESS MORE ON THIS TOPIC: South Korea challenges The North With Hypersonic Glide Vehicle Test (Photos) North Korea Says It Tested AI-Aided Intermediate Missile The post Hwasong-20 ICBM Takes Center Stage at North Korea’s Defense Show (Photos) appeared first on South Front.
[Category: #NORTHKOREA, Editor's choice, Hot, Military]
— Military Situation In Ukraine On October 12, 2026 (Maps Update): at 10/12/26 3:56pm
Click to see the full-size image Russian strikes destroyed targets in the Sumy, Kharkiv, Zaporizhzhia, Dnipropetrovsk, Kherson, Kyiv, Odesa, Volyn, Chernihiv, Khmelnytskyi, Lviv, Mykolaiv, Vinnytsia, Rivne, Cherkasy, Zhytomyr regions, and the DPR; According to the Ukrainian Air Force, Russian forces attacked Ukraine with 121 strike UAVs; Russian forces struck a cargo ship and a postal terminal in Odesa; Russian forces struck a gas station in the Kharkiv region; Russian forces struck an industrial facility in Pavlohrad; Russian forces struck Nova Poshta terminals in Mykolaiv; Russian forces struck railway infrastructure and oil depots in the Zhytomyr region; Ukrainian losses amounted to approximately 1,410 troops over the past 24 hours. Click to see the full-size image Russian forces took control of Kupiansk-Uzlovoy. Click to see the full-size image Russian forces took control of Starye Yary. Click to see the full-size image Russian forces took control of Lidino. MORE ON THE TOPIC: Ukrainian Attempts to Ease the Pincers on Several Fronts Fail Kyiv Loses Residents: Power Infrastructure Destroyed, City Enters “Survival Mode” Washington Gets The Diesel – Kyiv Gets The Bill The post Military Situation In Ukraine On October 12, 2026 (Maps Update) appeared first on South Front.
[Category: #FROMTHEFRONT, #MAPS, #RUSSIA, #UKRAINE, All articles, Editor's choice, Hot, Military, Politics, Russian Armed Forces]
— Ukrainian Attempts to Ease the Pincers on Several Fronts Fail: at 10/12/26 3:35pm
Click to see the full-size image In the Krasny Liman direction, reciprocal fighting continues near Zarechnoye and Yampol; Russian units hold positions near Ivanovka and repel Ukrainian assaults along the Zherebets River. In the Sumy direction, heavy small-arms fighting is under way north of Sumy near Khoten; Russian assault groups are advancing near Korenok and Turya. In the Kharkov direction, Russian units continue clearing the “Volchansk cauldron,” having advanced more than 1,000 metres on 25 sectors in a single day. In the Zaporozhye direction, Russian troops are fighting in Omelnyk, control Lyubitskoye and Novosoloshino, while the Ukrainian grouping in Orekhov is supplied mainly under cover of fog and by drones. In the Dobropolye direction, Russian units are enveloping Sergeyevka from three sides; the garrison in Dobropolye is cut off and a gradual assault on the town is under way. Krasny Liman direction In the Krasny Liman direction reciprocal fighting continues near Zarechnoye and Yampol. Ukrainian units hold their positions and mount counterattacks. Russian troops continue to hold positions near Ivanovka and Zarechnoye despite the presence and activity of Ukrainian forces on individual sectors. Fighting for Zarechnoye continues. The situation on the approaches to Krasny Liman remains difficult. Russian fighters are holding back the pressure of Ukrainian units along the Zherebets River, preventing any significant forces from breaking across it. Heavy reciprocal fighting is under way near Katerinovka, Novomikhaylovka and Ivanovka. Partial Russian control is retained in Ivanovka. Ukrainian attacks from the direction of Drobyshevo do not cease. The Ukrainian side has not abandoned attempts to increase pressure from here toward Kolodezi. Fierce fighting continues in the area of Krasny Liman and its vicinity. Fresh Ukrainian reserves are regularly committed here. Russian troops hold the lines. Russian units are pressing Ukrainian defences from the direction of Zarechnoye. Attacks are also being conducted from the forest tracts in the northern part of the city. The Ukrainian side continues to mount active assaults toward the Mirnoye–Ivanovka strongpoints. Near Yampol Russian troops hold their positions and repel the assaults. document.createElement('video'); https://s1.cdnstatic.space/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/12860.mp4Download video Sumy direction In the Sumy direction heavy small-arms fighting continues north of Sumy near Khoten. The “North” grouping reports advances by assault units near Korenok in Shostka district and Turya in Krasnopolye district. The Ukrainian side is attempting to infiltrate through tree lines into the rear of Russian units. Russian aviation, artillery and drone crews struck concentrations of personnel and equipment of Ukrainian units in the areas of Yuryevo, Barilovka, Radkovka, Velikaya Rybitsa and Demyanovka. In Shostka district Russian troops continue to advance near Korenok. In Krasnopolye district assault groups of Russian units are advancing near Turya. https://s1.cdnstatic.space/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/22588-.mp4Download video https://s1.cdnstatic.space/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/22583-.mp4Download video https://s1.cdnstatic.space/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/22581.mp4Download video Kharkov direction On the right flank of the “East” grouping the Ukrainian side is attempting to compensate for the lack of success on the eastern bank of the Mokrye Yaly by advancing on the western bank. Consolidation in Fyodorovka and attempts to reach Bolshaya Novosyolka represent an effort to retain the initiative. However, the restoration of control over Ivanovka could sharply alter the balance: the flank would begin to exert pressure, and drone operators would obtain advantageous positions. On the sector south of Kharkov, near Kazachya Lopan and Goptovka, fighting continues for Novaya Kazachya. Russian units are attempting to take it. At the same time there is movement toward Tsypovka from the east. The capture of Tsypovka and Novaya Kazachya before the end of the autumn campaign would constitute a notable success. In the Liptsy direction fierce fighting continues near Bugayevka and Tokarevka. The Ukrainian side conducted one counterattack with two assault groups of the 58th Separate Motorised Infantry Brigade near Novaya Kazachya. It achieved no success; one assault group was completely destroyed, the second withdrew to its starting positions with losses. In the Volchansk and Veliky Burluk directions Russian troops continue clearing the “Volchansk cauldron.” In a single day progress exceeded 1,000 metres on 25 sectors. https://s1.cdnstatic.space/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/22576.mp4Download video Zaporozhye direction From the right flank of the “East” grouping fighting is under way in Omelnyk. An important point is control over Lyubitskoye and Novosoloshino. Having taken these settlements, Russian units are already fighting beyond the defensive line. Vozdvizhevka has not yet been fully cleared, but the Ukrainian side is blocked there. The territory north of Vozdvizhevka is under Russian control. In the southern part of Ternovatoye Russian units are present; Ukrainian units are largely blocked by drones. Full control over territories such as Zelyonaya Dubrava, Zarnitsa, Svetlaya Dolina, Tersyanka and others has not yet been established. Favourable trends are noted near Ternovoye, Beryozovoye and Zaporozhskoye. The Ukrainian advance here has been localised; its grouping is blocked and cannot develop operations from this salient. Looking at the Orekhov salient as a whole, the envelopments from the left and right flanks remain substantial. This is the main problem for the Ukrainian side. Even the transferred special forces will achieve little until the flanks near Yurkovka and Lyubitskoye are eased. Supply into Orekhov is now possible mainly under cover of fog or by drones. Almost no other options remain. This creates constant difficulties and losses. The restoration of control over Lyubitskoye and Novosoloshino, together with the continuing offensive, creates mounting problems for the Ukrainian side. The attempt to ease the flank near Vozdvizhevka failed. https://s1.cdnstatic.space/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/21558-.mp4Download video https://s1.cdnstatic.space/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/21555-.mp4Download video https://s1.cdnstatic.space/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/21553-.mp4Download video https://s1.cdnstatic.space/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/76334.mp4Download video Dobropolye direction South of Novopavlovka reciprocal fighting continues. The Ukrainian side is counterattacking in an attempt to dislodge Russian units. It is still too early to speak of a decisive turning point; the situation is developing dynamically. Successes have been noted in the area south of Dobropolye. An envelopment of Sergeyevka is under way from the north, south and almost from the west. Supply of Ukrainian units is possible mainly along a single road following the river — and then only in heavy fog. Inside Dobropolye itself the situation for the Ukrainian side is deteriorating rapidly. The garrison is cut off; a gradual assault on the town and the expulsion of Ukrainian forces from the microdistricts are under way. There is a chance that the town will be taken by the end of October. The Ukrainian side is attempting to reverse the situation after its initial misassessment of the direction of the strike. Reserves transferred in expectation of a movement toward Andreyevka are now being partially redirected to the south-west. Counterattacks are under way near Zolotoy Kolodets and Novovodyanoye. In Novovodyanoye the Ukrainian side succeeded in dislodging part of the positions, but not all. Through the ruined Zolotoy Kolodets it is attempting to advance toward Rubezhnoye — so far without success. Across the front, the pattern is the same: Russian units hold the line in the Krasny Liman direction, advance in Sumy and Kharkov, tighten the encirclement at Orekhov and Dobropolye. Drones, artillery and aviation remain decisive, and difficult terrain slows the pace without changing the trend. The Ukrainian side continues to transfer reserves and counterattack, yet fails to achieve a turning point. MORE ON THE TOPIC: Kyiv Loses Residents: Power Infrastructure Destroyed, City Enters “Survival Mode” Washington Gets The Diesel – Kyiv Gets The Bill Moscow Calls Out Kyiv’s Election Ceasefire Bluff The post Ukrainian Attempts to Ease the Pincers on Several Fronts Fail appeared first on South Front.
[Category: #FROMTHEFRONT, #RealWarInUkraine, #RUSSIA, #UKRAINE, All articles, Editor's choice, Hot, Military, Politics, Russian Armed Forces, Suggested Analyses]
— Houthis Strike Saudi Capital Once Again (Videos): at 10/12/26 3:00pm
File image. The Houthis military spokesman, Brig. Gen. Yahya Saree, announced on October 12 that the group had targeted King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh with a ballistic missile. By Gods grace and assistance, our armed forces targeted King Khalid International Airport in the Saudi capital, Riyadh, this evening with a ballistic missile, and the hit was accurate, Saree said in a statement. He separately announced an attack on Khamis Mushait Air Base, saying the operation was carried out using a drone and that the hit was direct. Saree also renewed a warning to international airlines and aviation personnel against operating flights to Saudi airports, declaring them unsafe except for airports and airspace serving the holy cities of Mecca and Medina. The warning extended to experts, employees, workers and travelers from around the world. The claims came as Saudi Arabia reported further incoming missile and drone threats during the day. Maj. Gen. Turki al-Maliki, spokesman for the Saudi-led coalition, said air defenses had intercepted and destroyed two ballistic missiles launched toward Riyadh. The coalition also reported tracking drone and cruise-missile threats targeting the kingdom. It was not immediately clear from the statement whether the interceptions involved the same missiles described by Saree or another attack. The latest announcement follows a series of attacks on Saudi infrastructure in recent days. King Khalid International Airport remained closed on October 12 after a missile strike killed at least 13 people and wounded more than 300 last week. Saudi Arabia has opened an investigation into how its air defenses failed to prevent that attack, with regional officials telling the AP that the Houthis had used multiple drones followed by cruise and ballistic missiles. The escalation is unfolding as the Houthis continue in Yemen, mainly in the southwestern province of Taiz, with Saudi-backed forces failing to stop them. _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ SouthFront: Analysis and Intelligence NOW hosted at southfront.press Previously, SouthFront: Analysis and Intelligence was at southfront.org. The .org domain name had been blocked by the US (NATO) (https://southfront.press/southfront-org-blocked-by-u-s-controlled-global-internet-supervisor/) globally, outlawed and without any explanation Back before that, from 2013 to 2015, SouthFront: Analysis and Intelligence was at southfront.com SOUTHFRONT.PRESS MORE ON THIS TOPIC: Houthis Show New Gains in Taiz as Siege of Saudi-Backed Forces Tightens (Video) In Video: Saudi-Backed Forces Take Heavy Losses In Failed Marib Attack The post Houthis Strike Saudi Capital Once Again (Videos) appeared first on South Front.
[Category: #SAUDIARABIA, #YEMEN, Editor's choice, Hot, Military]
— Houthis Show New Gains in Taiz as Siege of Saudi-Backed Forces Tightens (Video): at 10/12/26 2:30pm
File image. The Houthis (Ansar Allah) on October 12 released footage they said showed their fighters clearing Saudi-backed forces from the remaining areas of Jabal Habashi district, the al-Birin Triangle and the Yafrus junction in Yemen’s southwestern Taiz province. The footage showed close-range fighting, surprise attacks and fighters advancing into opposing positions and trenches. It also depicted the use of automatic rifles, sniper rifles, machine guns and 82 mm and 120 mm mortars, alongside the capture of several fighters, weapons and military vehicles. The Houthi military media said the groups fighters had driven Saudi-backed forces from the three locations and secured the areas. Pressure on Saudi-backed forces around Taiz continues to intensify, with fighting on multiple fronts and reported Houthi movements toward the city’s western approaches. The recent advances tightened the encirclement of government-aligned positions and restricted their movement between frontlines. Alongside the fighting, tribal leaders in Jabal Saber, south of Taiz city, have been holding negotiations with Houthi forces over a possible handover of local areas without fighting, according to Yemeni media reports. The reported talks aim to prevent villages from becoming military positions or launching points for attacks and to spare populated areas further destruction. No agreement or transfer of control had been confirmed in the reports. The combination of Houthi advances on the western approaches and negotiations over Jabal Saber indicates the battle for Taiz city is drawing near. The Houthis maintain the upper hand. However, the difficult terrain and the high urban density of the city could play in favor of the defenders. _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ SouthFront: Analysis and Intelligence NOW hosted at southfront.press Previously, SouthFront: Analysis and Intelligence was at southfront.org. The .org domain name had been blocked by the US (NATO) (https://southfront.press/southfront-org-blocked-by-u-s-controlled-global-internet-supervisor/) globally, outlawed and without any explanation Back before that, from 2013 to 2015, SouthFront: Analysis and Intelligence was at southfront.com SOUTHFRONT.PRESS MORE ON THIS TOPIC: In Video: Saudi-Backed Forces Take Heavy Losses In Failed Marib Attack Fearing Houthi Strikes, Bin Salman Is Moving From Bunker to Bunker The post Houthis Show New Gains in Taiz as Siege of Saudi-Backed Forces Tightens (Video) appeared first on South Front.
[Category: #YEMEN, Editor's choice, Hot, Military]
— Military Situation In Yemen On October 12, 2026 (Map Update): at 10/12/26 1:38pm
Click to see full-size map. On October 11, Ansar Allah forces captured Jabal Habashi and al-Misrakh in Taiz province; On October 11, Ansar Allah carried out missile and drone attacks on King Khalid Airport in Riyadh, King Fahd Airport in Dammam, and Aramco facilities at Shedgum and Tanajib; Fighting is ongoing near the Bab al-Mandab. _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ MORE ON THIS TOPIC: In Video: Saudi-Backed Forces Take Heavy Losses In Failed Marib Attack Fearing Houthi Strikes, Bin Salman Is Moving From Bunker to Bunker The post Military Situation In Yemen On October 12, 2026 (Map Update) appeared first on South Front.
[Category: #MAPS, #YEMEN, Editor's choice, Hot, Military]
— Kyiv Loses Residents: Power Infrastructure Destroyed, City Enters “Survival Mode”: at 10/12/26 1:30pm
Kyiv is heading into winter with damaged energy infrastructure and a growing number of residents leaving the city, prompting Mayor Vitali Klitschko to publicly urge those who can to leave the capital. The contrast with Russia is stark: there, strikes on Yandex data centers disrupted digital services; here, basic life-support systems are failing. Energy: Dependence on a Single Node Since early October, strikes on Kyivs energy hub have intensified. According to Oleksandr Kharchenko, director of the Energy Research Center, ballistic missile strikes have knocked out Kyivs own power generation. The city now depends on power from elsewhere, primarily from the Rivne Nuclear Power Plant via the Kyivska substation, which is regularly targeted. document.createElement('video'); https://s1.cdnstatic.space/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/kyiv-energy-11.mp4Download video https://s1.cdnstatic.space/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/kyiv-9-1.mp4Download video https://s1.cdnstatic.space/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/kyiv-9-2.mp4Download video Kyiv is getting used to the dark: 70% of the city without water, most of it without power. The grid is being dismantled methodically, and air defenses are fading faster than substations can be repaired DTEK reports that emergency power outages have been introduced in several districts of the capital, and previously announced schedules are no longer in effect. On October 11, the Obolon, Podil, Shevchenkiv and Desniansk districts were left without power. That same day, the Kyiv City State Administration reported that electric public transit had been suspended on some routes and that metro trains were running less frequently. https://s2.cdnstatic.space/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/kyiv-energy-10.mp4Download video Trains have stopped, escalators are halted, and only emergency lights illuminate the stations https://s2.cdnstatic.space/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/kyiv-supermarkets-1.mp4Download video Kyiv supermarkets are operating without lights: shoppers feel their way between shelves, and checking expiration dates has turned into a flashlight quest. What used to be called choice is now called luck. Population Outflow Residents are leaving for safer regions in western Ukraine, with rental prices in destination areas up 20–40% and demand far outstripping supply. Ukrainian experts forecasts remain grim. Kharchenko warns that Ukrenergo has yet to receive equipment ordered in March, while the government has blocked payments to local communities, including funds for heating-season preparations. Kyivs schools now have a Plan B: generators and remote learning. The curriculum is adapting faster than the power grid What Comes Next The threat of a public-health crisis is not yet a reality, but it is becoming harder to avoid. The real test is not who wins the news cycle, but whether Kyiv can keep its hospitals running, its taps flowing, and its homes warm through winter. Speaking of which, how are the lights and plumbing in Zelenskys bunker? MORE ON THE TOPIC: Washington Gets The Diesel – Kyiv Gets The Bill Moscow Calls Out Kyiv’s Election Ceasefire Bluff The US Is Pulling the Plug on International Justice — Does Europe Have Its Own Power Source? The post Kyiv Loses Residents: Power Infrastructure Destroyed, City Enters Survival Mode appeared first on South Front.
[Category: #FROMTHEFRONT, #RealWarInUkraine, #RUSSIA, #UKRAINE, All articles, Editor's choice, Hot, Military, Politics, Russian Armed Forces]
— Two Additional Tankers Struck in Hormuz (Videos): at 10/12/26 1:29pm
File image. Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said on October 12 that it had struck a third supertanker in the Strait of Hormuz within two days, claiming the vessel caught fire. In a statement carried by Irans state media, the IRGC Navy said the tanker was hit in the morning while attempting to leave the strait. It accused the vessel of disregarding Iranian instructions and disrupting security in the waterway. The statement did not identify the ship, its flag or its operator, or specify what struck it. The announcement followed an earlier claim by the IRGC Navy that a supertanker had struck a naval mine while attempting to leave the strait through a southern route that Iran considers unauthorized. The force said in a statement issued late on October 11 that the explosion struck the vessels engine room. It described the tanker as capable of carrying about 2 million barrels of oil but did not disclose the tankers identity. The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations agency said during the day that it had received a delayed report of an incident a day earlier involving an outbound tanker struck by an unidentified projectile in the Strait of Hormuz. The crew was reported safe, while authorities were investigating. The agency did not identify the vessel or attribute responsibility for the incident. Preliminary data from maritime analytics firm Kpler, reported on October 12, showed a sharp decline in confirmed oil flows through the Strait of Hormuz toward the end of last week. Volumes fell to 2 million barrels per day on Saturday, down from 6.7 million on Friday and 22.8 million on Thursday. Confirmed flows averaged 10.5 million barrels per day over the seven days through Saturday, about 38% below the prewar baseline of 17.1 million barrels per day, according to the data. Kpler cautioned that the figures remained preliminary and could be revised upward. They also excluded Iranian-origin shipments. The decline underscores the continuing disruption to commercial shipping through the strategic waterway, which carried about one-fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas trade before the war. The latest attacks show that Iran is still very much in control of the Strait of Hormuz, well capable of targeting any vessel it deems in violation of its restrictions. _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ SouthFront: Analysis and Intelligence NOW hosted at southfront.press Previously, SouthFront: Analysis and Intelligence was at southfront.org. The .org domain name had been blocked by the US (NATO) (https://southfront.press/southfront-org-blocked-by-u-s-controlled-global-internet-supervisor/) globally, outlawed and without any explanation Back before that, from 2013 to 2015, SouthFront: Analysis and Intelligence was at southfront.com SOUTHFRONT.PRESS MORE ON THIS TOPIC: Military Situation In Iran On October 12, 2026 (Map Update) The US Is Pulling the Plug on International Justice — Does Europe Have Its Own Power Source? The post Two Additional Tankers Struck in Hormuz (Videos) appeared first on South Front.
[Category: #IRAN, Editor's choice, Hot, Military]
— Washington Gets The Diesel – Kyiv Gets The Bill: at 10/12/26 1:19pm
To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', function(){ var player = videojs('content_video', { autoplay: false, loop: false, fluid: true, controlBar: { liveTracker: false } }); var shareOptions = { socials: ['fb', 'tw', 'reddit', 'messenger', 'linkedin', 'telegram', 'whatsapp', 'viber', 'vk'], url: window.location.href, title: "Washington Gets The Diesel - Kyiv Gets The Bill", description: "On October 11, Donald Trump announced an energy ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine. Neither side had been consulted. Neither side knew what it meant. President Zelenskyy said he learned about the initiative from the internet, adding that he would support it if both parties assumed mutual obligations. Moscow offered no official confirmation. Members of the Russian State Duma stated they had no knowledge of any White House peace initiative or ceasefire arrangement. Europe declined to endorse ", image: "https://s1.cdnstatic.space/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/Kyiv_Gets_The_Bill.jpg", // required for Facebook and Messenger fbAppId: '12345', // optional for Facebook redirectUri: window.location.href + '#close', // optional for VK isVkParse: true, // optinal embed code embedCode : "" }; player.share(shareOptions); player.downloadButton(); }); Download video On October 11, Donald Trump announced an energy ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine. Neither side had been consulted. Neither side knew what it meant. President Zelenskyy said he learned about the initiative from the internet, adding that he would support it if both parties assumed mutual obligations. Moscow offered no official confirmation. Members of the Russian State Duma stated they had no knowledge of any White House peace initiative or ceasefire arrangement. Europe declined to endorse the proposal, prompting U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent to accuse European governments of hypocrisy — noting that since the start of the war, Europe has paid Russia more for energy than it has provided Ukraine in military aid, while simultaneously opposing American arrangements to import Russian diesel. Nearly 24 hours passed before the details began to emerge through leaks to major international outlets. According to Axios, the “energy ceasefire” announced by Trump referred specifically to a mutual agreement to halt strikes on oil refineries. The asymmetry of that arrangement is stark. Ukraine has no functioning refineries left to protect. Its economy runs entirely on hydrocarbon imports from Europe. What Trump framed as a bilateral ceasefire is, in practical terms, a directive to Kyiv to stop hitting Russian refining infrastructure. The reason for that directive is not difficult to identify. The United States is facing severe fuel price increases, and Washington has quietly reached an arrangement to import Russian diesel. Monitoring resources indicate that as early as September 22, a tanker carrying Russian diesel — the Minerva Zen, sailing under a Greek flag — departed oil terminals in northern Russia bound for a port on the U.S. East Coast. The vessel is expected to arrive, reportedly in South Carolina, on October 12. The ceasefire announcement came nineteen days later. For Ukraine, the terms of this arrangement are unambiguous. Every strike on a Russian refinery now risks triggering a cutoff of U.S. intelligence sharing and weapons deliveries — a threat the American administration has already made explicit. Russia, meanwhile, faces no equivalent constraint. On the evening of October 11, Zelenskyy announced a Russian strike on Kharkiv’s Thermal Power Plant No. 5. He also reported that over the past week alone, Russian forces had conducted more than 200 strikes on Ukrainian electricity generation and transmission facilities, along with 17 strikes on gas and oil infrastructure. Ukraine has been told to stop striking the refineries that power the Russian war machine — in exchange for a ceasefire that protects infrastructure Ukraine no longer has. Russia continues striking Ukrainian power plants at a rate of more than 30 per day. The math here is not complicated — and it does not favor the side fighting for its survival. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ DEAR FRIENDS. IF YOU LIKE THIS TYPE OF CONTENT, SUPPORT SOUTHFRONT WORK: MONERO (XMR): 86yfEHs6pkoDEKCxc6MAnQX8cVHmzhYxMVrNuwKgNmqpWK8dDxjgGnK8PtUNJMACbn6xEGxmRauNTHJhUJpg9Mwz8htBBND BITCOIN (BTC): bc1qgu58lfszcpqu6fd8l98m378wgzugyg9y93lcym BITCOIN CASH (BCH): qr28d80s5juzv2793k5jrq59xrl5fxd8qg9h3zlkk2 PAYPAL, WESTERN UNION etc: write to info@southfront.press , southfront@list.ru If you face any problems sending funds to the addresses given above, please contact us: info@southfront.press and southfront@list.ru. Also be aware that many email services such as Hotmail, Yahoo etc. may block correspondence from info@southfront.press and some others put it in spam. If you want to support SouthFront but have no opportunity to do it via cryptocurrency, please contact us: info@southfront.press and southfront@list.ru. SouthFront: Analysis and Intelligence NOW hosted at southfront.press Previously, SouthFront: Analysis and Intelligence was at southfront.org. The .org domain name had been blocked by the US (NATO) (https://southfront.press/southfront-org-blocked-by-u-s-controlled-global-internet-supervisor/) globally, outlawed and without any explanation Back before that, from 2013 to 2015, SouthFront: Analysis and Intelligence was at southfront.com SOUTHFRONT.PRESS The post Washington Gets The Diesel Kyiv Gets The Bill appeared first on South Front.
[Category: #RUSSIA, #UKRAINE, #USA, SouthFront TV, Ukraine Military Report, russia, ukraine, usa]
— Military Situation In Iran On October 12, 2026 (Map Update): at 10/12/26 12:30pm
Click to see full-size map. Two additional oil tankers struck naval mines in the Strait of Hormuz, triggering explosions and fires, according to the IRGC Navy; On October 11, the Marshall Islands-flagged tanker MT Valthera was hit by an unidentified projectile while transiting the Strait of Hormuz, causing damage and a fire; On October 11, the oil-products tanker MT Petro Dolphin was struck by a drone while anchored off Sohar, Oman. _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ MORE ON THIS TOPIC: The US Is Pulling the Plug on International Justice — Does Europe Have Its Own Power Source? Saudi Arabia Has Allies. But Who Will Fight Its War in Yemen? The post Military Situation In Iran On October 12, 2026 (Map Update) appeared first on South Front.
[Category: #IRAN, #MAPS, Editor's choice, Hot, Military]

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